What Is a Casino?

A casino, or gambling house, is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Some casinos are stand-alone buildings, while others are part of larger resorts or hotels. Many of these facilities are upscale and offer luxury amenities like spas, restaurants and rooms for those seeking a more discreet gambling experience. These establishments have a high concentration of games and are often associated with a particular country or region.

While many people associate casinos with glamorous locations, they can be found in a number of places across the globe, from Monte Carlo to Macau. The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden became a popular destination for European royalty and aristocracy 150 years ago, and its lavish casino still draws high rollers from around the world. The Grand Lisboa in Macau is perhaps the most famous, with its dazzling facade and dazzling gambling floor, which has been described as “a million lights brightening a room of pure decadence.”

Foxwoods in Connecticut is the largest casino in the US, but it doesn’t even make the top 10 when it comes to total floor space dedicated to gaming. It’s eclipsed by the Venetian Macau, which claims the title of the biggest casino in the world, thanks to its extensive table game offerings. The list of the top ten biggest casinos also includes the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, a storied gambling den that attracts both hardened dollar spinners and curious newbies. These ten temples of temptation are decked out in opulent furnishings and overflowing bars, making them the perfect place to throw down some chips and see what fate has in store.